RUN welcomes Morrison ministry

The Regional University Network (RUN) welcomes the Morrison ministry which includes strong representation from regional Australia.

The Chair of RUN, Professor Greg Hill, warmly welcomed the appointment of Dan Tehan MP as Minister for Education, Karen Andrews MP as Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Sussan Ley MP as Minister for Regional Development, Michaelia Cash as Minister for Small Business, Skills, and Vocational Education and Training, Alan Tudge MP as Minister for Population, Infrastructure, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, David Littleproud MP in his continuing role as Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, and Barnaby Joyce as special envoy for drought assistance and recovery.

“Dan Tehan, who is from regional Victoria, will bring an understanding of regional education and issues to his portfolio, which will put him in a strong position to continue to follow up on issues arising from the Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education. We urge him to provide adequate funding for regional campuses to grow to meet the increasing demand and need for higher education,” Prof Hill said.

“We hope that the new minister will consider the appointment of a Regional, Rural and Remote Education Commissioner, implementation of a National Regional Higher Education Strategy, and redirection of some of the new Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships to current students who may be unable to continue their studies due to drought,” he said.

“We would like to sincerely thank Simon Birmingham for his leadership in the education portfolio, and congratulate him on his new appointment as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.

“Karen Andrews, Sussan Ley, David Littleproud and Barnaby Joyce bring a regional perspective to their roles.
“Given the significance of regional universities to regional development, we look forward to working with Susan Ley in the latter portfolio to further facilitate a joined-up approach between regional development and education. RUN would like to thank John McVeigh for his service in the regional development portfolio,” Professor Hill said.
“We further congratulate all the other appointments of the Morrison ministry